Page 86 of Twisted Trust

“Who has time for that?” She sniffles while unable to look me in the eye. The more she weeps, the more painful my chest grows until words just blurt out of me before I can stop them.

“Scott is Levi’s son.”

Marcella flinches faintly and gazes at me with her wide, swimming eyes. “I beg your pardon?”

“Scott… he’s Levi’s. We met years ago and one thing led to another, but Scott is his. There was just a lot going on and we got caught up in someone else’s game, and it’s only now we’ve reunited, but I assure you that Levi is Scott’s father. That’s also why they’re spending time together today, to bond.”

Marcella looks like she’s been hit by a truck and her hand trembles in mine. “Truly?”

“Yes.” It’s hard to keep my own tears from creeping up with how emotional she is. “So Elio was able to spend time with his own grandson. And it’s time that Scott will remember forever.”

The dam breaks and Marcella bursts into floods of tears while clutching at my hand. “Oh, my goodness, Elio you fool! You bloody fool!” She shakes her head and then leans into me, so I wrap my arms around her and hug her tightly while she sobs on my shoulder. “Thank you,” she weeps. “Thank you!”

She clings to me for the better part of an hour until her tears finally slow and the assistant appears with tissues and some cooling jade for her face to combat swelling.

“How are you feeling?” I ask gently, wary about bringing the tears back.

She shakes her head and dabs at her eyes. “I lost the love of my life,” she says hoarsely. “But apparently, I’ve gained a grandchild which I feared was never in my future. Elio… he was a tough man, but he was agoodman. When I look at Levi, I ache for what he has lost.” She lifts her gaze to meet mine. “Does he know?”

“About Scott?”

She nods.

“Yes. He knows.”

“That’s good.” She sniffles and sighs. “That’s very good.”

“Marcella, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, dear.”

“I… when Scott was born, I tried to reach out to you. I wrote a letter to you because I was in a tough spot. Did that ever reach you?”

Her brows lift as she rapidly shakes her head. “Goodness, not at all! I don’t tend to get letters in this day and age.”

“My phone had been cut off,” I say wryly. “It was my only way to reach you.”

She frowns and bundles up a tissue in her fist. “I think I would have remembered a letter. What did it say?”

“I explained who Scott was and that I was unwell. I was scared I wasn’t going to make it and he would be all alone.”

“Good heavens.” Marcella reaches for my hand and clutches at my wrist and forearm. “I certainly would remember something like that!”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I am!” Her indignant tone cracks slightly from emotion as she speaks. “I would have told Levi immediately and we would have found you. Are you sure it reached me, dear?”

I want to tell her yes since not long after I sent it, that tall, thin man turned up at my door and told me they wanted me dead, but I doubt she can handle such news right now. Instead, I shake my head.

“There’s a chance it was lost in the post somewhere. I just always wondered.”

“Dear, I would never turn my back on my family. Certainly not my own grandchild, and Levi would never turn his back on his son. I’m so sorry you felt so alone!”

“It’s okay.”

“No, dear, it’s not. A new mother deserves a village around her to help. Were your parents not willing?”

“Both of them are dead.” I’m taken aback by the deep caring in her words. She sounds like she’s genuinely distressed about not receiving this letter and it warms me to know that maybe if it had reached her, the truth would have come out a lot sooner.